Byron seeking CHR probe into alleged maltreatment

CEBU, Philippines — Former Capitol consultant Byron F. Garcia has filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), alleging that authorities failed to adequately consider his age and medical condition during his detention following his arrest earlier this month.

Garcia, 65, lodged an administrative complaint against Police Lieutenant Colonel Homobuno Sayon and other unidentified personnel, claiming that his rights as a senior citizen and a detainee with existing medical conditions were not properly observed while he was under police custody.

The complaint stems from Garcia’s arrest on June 11, 2026, at the Talisay City Fish Port in Barangay San Roque, Talisay City, based on a warrant issued in connection with three counts of alleged gender-based online sexual harassment.

The criminal complaints were filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, Capitol’s public health consultant and daughter of Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro.

Garcia, brother of former Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia, alleged that around 30 operatives participated in the service of the warrant against him. During a press conference on Friday, Garcia recounted what he described as a series of incidents that he believes warrant investigation by the CHR.

Garcia said he was suffering from complications related to uric acid crystals and gout at the time of his arrest. He claimed his right hand was swollen and that he requested authorities not to tighten his handcuffs.

“Nihangyo ko nga dili huoton ang cuffs kay hubag akong kamot,” said Garcia.

Following his arrest, Garcia said he was immediately brought to the Talisay City detention facility before being transported to Talisay District Hospital for a medical examination.

There, he said doctors found that his blood sugar level was elevated.

“Na-stress ko kay wa man ko kalibutan ani nga case. So my blood sugar really went up,” he said.

Garcia said medical personnel discussed whether he should be returned to the detention facility or transferred to a higher-level hospital because of his condition. According to him, doctors believed he required continuous medical attention.

Instead of being placed inside a regular detention cell, Garcia said he was initially housed in what he described as a storage room containing spare police uniforms and other stored items. Authorities allegedly placed a folding bed and an electric fan inside the room.

“I slept in that bodega Thursday night,” Garcia said.

However, he said a police officer later informed him that concerns had been raised about what was perceived as special treatment.

Garcia said he asked who had complained but was allegedly told it came from “higher ups.”

As a result, he said he was transferred to a regular detention cell with other detainees.

“Sa ako man gud nga condition dapat naa man koy special protection from the custodial police,” he said.

Garcia maintained that both his age and medical condition should have been considered in determining his custodial arrangements.

He further alleged that he was placed inside a detention cell with other inmates at around 2 p.m. on June 12. After the detainees were locked inside, Garcia claimed no police personnel remained stationed nearby.

According to Garcia, his insulin and other medications were left inside the locked storage room where he had previously stayed.

“Wa ko ka-inject sa akong intervention drugs nga moubos unta akong hyperglycemia,” Garcia said.

He claimed he was unable to administer his medication for about three hours despite experiencing elevated blood sugar levels.

According to Garcia, his blood sugar eventually reached 327, a level significantly above normal.

He said doctors later decided to transfer him to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) for further treatment.

Garcia added that subsequent tests showed his blood sugar level had dropped to 261, although medical personnel still recommended continued hospital care.Beyond his personal complaint, Garcia said his experience exposed broader concerns about detention conditions and custodial practices.

As former consultant of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Garcia said authorities should revisit standards governing detention facilities, particularly for senior citizens and persons with medical conditions.

“I think they should do something about this. Ako nakasuway ko, moreklamo ko kay nakasuway man ko pero ang uban louy kaayo intawn,” he said.

Garcia expressed hope that his experience would lead to improvements in custodial operations.

“I hope through me sa akong nasinatian daghan makabenepisyo ani nga tungod ani ubang mga police custodial facilities ilaha natong tarung-tarungon,” he added.

He also raised concerns about overcrowding in detention facilities.

Garcia cited international standards that, according to him, allocate between 3.5 and 5 square meters of space per detainee. Based on those standards, he said a nine-square-meter detention cell should accommodate only about three inmates.

During his detention, however, Garcia alleged that around 32 detainees were confined in a single cell.

He claimed some inmates were forced to occupy extremely limited spaces because of congestion inside the facility.

Garcia said overcrowding was one of the issues he consistently opposed during his years as a jail administrator.

Garcia was arrested on June 11 after the Municipal Trial Court in Cities Branch 1 in Mandaue City issued warrants in connection with three counts of alleged violations of the Safe Spaces Act, formally known as the Gender-Based Sexual Harassment Act.

Court records showed prosecutors found probable cause to file the charges after Catalan accused Garcia of posting sexist, misogynistic and degrading statements on social media. The court set bail at P36,000 for each count, or a total of P108,000.

Garcia posted bail on June 13 after spending two nights in police custody. His arraignment and pre-trial conference have been scheduled for July 29, 2026.(CEBU NEWS)